Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: I've Loved and Lost Again by Patsy Cline
400 Lux Review
One DVD, $25 bucks and one 400 Lux Review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
400 Lux Review: Effect
Four single one dollar bills visually turn into four $100 dollar bills.
400 Lux Review: Method
The method is basically the same as most effects like this, however, it does it in a gimmick-less way. This method allows you a bit more freedom of handling that traditional methods do not. Any venue where people are close enough to see the change happen is a good venue for this. You can keep it in your wallet and be good to go any time. Plus, if you ever get in a bind and need to spend the money, you can do so without having to take apart a gimmick. All skill levels welcome.
400 Lux Review: Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is actually quite misleading. First, they claim that this can be done impromptu. That's not true. Well, it's no more or less true than saying that the gimmicked versions can be done impromptu. If you have the bills (gimmicked or otherwise) on you and they are prepared properly, then you can do this any time.
Second, the ad trailer claims that this can be done with no preparation. This is also un-true. In order to do this, you need to (in advance) fold the bills up in a very specific way. They ones need to be folded one specific way. Then one of the hundreds needs to be folded a specific way that's different from the ones. Lastly, the other 3 hundreds need to be folded the same specific way as the ones.
So, there is nothing "impromptu" or "un-prepared" about this, so their claim of "COMPLETELY" impromptu in ALL CAPS is COMPLETELY un-true. The claim that the bills are examinable before and after is true. Just keep in mind that you have to secretly steal (i.e., gambler's cop) the hidden packet of bills in order to allow the visible bills to be examined. This is totally legit and doable, but I just wanted to be clear.
Next, the first bullet point says that any bills can be used. This is not quite true. First, the bills have to be the exact same size as each other. I know some currencies have ten notes that are physically larger than 5 notes. The notes get physically larger as the denomination increases. Assuming you have bills with the same size, then the next question is regarding plastic currency (e.g., Australian currency). Well, probably not. You have to be able to crease the money and have it hold a crease.
Lastly, let's say you've got some good ol' standard sized non-plastic currency. Great. You still need to, secretly, prepare the bills in advance, so don't assume that "any bills" means you can just grab four bills and change them with no prep time.
400 Lux Review: Product Quality
The production value is okay. It's not the best I've seen, that's for sure. However, the teaching is where things really fell apart. The explanations were too fast and really seemed to assume that you already knew what was going on. He wasn't very good at giving the finer points and the details. Though multiple handling techniques were taught, they were taught too quickly and not in depth enough. My guess is that a handful of times re-watching and rewinding will get you there, but I'm not entirely sure about that. I ain't got that kind of time.
400 Lux Review: Final Thoughts
The overall concept is solid and smart and really does give you options and freedom that the gimmicked methods do not. However, considering that you're getting one trick that isn't exactly stellarly taught along with the ad copy un-truths, the rating on this ain't great.
Final Verdict:
2.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Grubble with a capital letter "G" for the gem part of Grubble. A GEM of a method surrounded
Available at your Favorite Magic Dealer. Dealer's see Murphy's Magic for details. by rubble ad copy and rubble-is teaching.